UNDP Fiji Multi-Country Office

Vanuatu to build trade capacities to fight poverty

07 Oct 2011

(Port Vila, Vanuatu) - The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism is leading efforts by the Government of Vanuatu towards capitalizing benefits for the country from its participation in the Enhanced Integrated Framework for Trade-related Technical assistance for Least Developed Countries (EIF).

The EIF is a partnership between LDCs, development partners and international organizations aimed at supporting LDCs’ efforts to strengthen trade-related institutions and to build trade capacities to the benefit of the poor and disadvantaged. Twenty three bilateral donors contribute to the EIF Trust Fund. International organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) provide technical advice and work alongside LDCs to promote human development outcomes through the implementation of each country’s priorities. All LDCs are eligible for participation in the EIF and each define the priority areas of support under the programme.

This week, a team from the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Geneva and Fiji Multi-Country Offices completed a two-week mission to Vanuatu to work with national stakeholders in identifying priority areas of support for the country’s EIF programme. The EIF will support efforts in Vanuatu towards enhancing dialogue and engagement among national stakeholders including civil society, community based organizations and private sector, around trade-related initiatives and negotiations. Priority will be given to the adoption of a trade policy framework to provide direction for the development of the trade sector in line with the national development objectives of Vanuatu outlined in the Priorities and Action Agenda 2006 – 2015 (PAA). The programme will equally boost the technical capacity of the Ministry for trade policy analysis, trade negotiations and implementation and assessment of trade agreements. The programme will contribute to enhancing coordination and alignment of trade-related aid to Vanuatu through national mechanisms

Further consultations on actions required and responsibilities for effectively mainstreaming trade in national development planning across government and other stakeholders will take place in two weeks time in Port Vila.

Vanuatu is eligible to apply for EIF resources of up to USD 10 million over a period of three years, provided quality proposals are submitted. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism will continue working in partnership with UNDP towards achieving Vanuatu’s development objectives through trade-related initiatives under the EIF.